USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 59
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CLARENCE M. COLLINS.
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Nicholas Meader, above named, settled in Dover; and he and his wife Lydia had five or more children, namely : Kesiah, born June 23, 1709; Samuel, born January 15, 1711; Nich- olas, born October 9, 1712; John, born Octo- ber 8. 1715 ; Daniel, born November 6, 1718.
John Meader, the son of Nicholas, undoubt- edly was the father of Stephen Meader, who married Rose Quimby, of Newington, N. H., March 27, 1778. Their children, in order of birth, were as follows: James; Aaron, who died in 1842; John, born in New Durham, died in 1834; William; Jonathan; Rebecca; Mary L .; Betsey; and Deborah. Stephen Meader was a Revolutionary soldier, and fought for American independence under Gen- eral Stark at Bunker Hill. He later joined Washington's command at Cambridge, and served until the close of the war.
John Meader, the son of Stephen and Rose (Quimby) Meader, married Betsey Edgerly, of Durham (she born 1790, died 1854), to which place he removed when quite a young man. Their children were: James, born 1813, died 1868; William, born 1815, died 1882; Stephen, born January 1, 1819, died 1890; John D., born July 16, 1824; Dudley Pres- cott, born June 5, 1827.
On the maternal side the subject of this sketch is descended from Thomas Edgerly, who built the Edgerly Garrison in Durham, N. H. He was taxed at Oyster River in 1665, and admitted freeman in 1672. He was a Justice of the Peace in 1674. In 1715 he was still living. He had at least three children, sons - Zachariah, Thomas, and Samuel, the last being the one from whom Betsey Edgerly and her son, John Durell Meader, are de- scended.
John Durell Meader was educated in the common schools. He resided in his native town of Durham during his minority until at an early age he began to learn the machinist's trade in Manchester, N. HI. He subsequently followed his trade in Boston, Mass., to which city he went after his marriage in 1846. He remained in Boston until 1866, when he re- moved to New Market, N. H., which he has since made his home. As a mechanic, he helped to made the first Grover and Baker sewing-machines that were put upon the mar-
ket. He made for the Alger Iron Works, South Boston, Mass., the two smooth-bore, eleven-inch Columbiads for the good old "Kearsarge" that sunk the rebel cruiser, "Alabama"; and, although he took no active military part himself, he feels that he did good and effective service for his country. On coming to New Market, he joined the Methodist church, the services of which he attended regularly for many years, and with which his connection remains unsevered, al- though in later years he has been a member of the Free Baptist society. He joined Squam- scot Lodge, No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of this place, December 14, 1868, and has since retained his membership there- with. He is one of the charter members of Lamprey River Grange, No. 240, Patrons of Husbandry, of this town, organized February 26, 1896, and which has now a membership of nearly seventy. In March, 1895, he was elected one of the Selectmen, and was re- elected in March, 1896.
On November 15, 1846, he married Miss Comfort A. Hill, daughter of Benjamin and Betsey (Spokefield) Hill, of Campton, N. Il. He has one son, John Russell Meader, who is now the settled pastor of the Congregational church at Dalton, N. II. The Rev. John Russell Meader married first Cynthia Dudley, who died ; and of this marriage there are three children living - Abigail C., Amy, and John Ernest. For his second wife he married Mabel Crouch, and by her has twin children Marion and Mabel.
LARENCE M. COLLINS, of the firm of Witherell & Collins, manufact- urers of misses' and children's slippers in South Danville, is a na- tive of this town, born August 12, 1858. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Collins, came to Danville from Hampstead, this county, in the early part of the present century. Jonathan worked at the cooper's trade, and carried on gen- eral farming during the remainder of his life.
Leonard W. Collins, the father of Clarence M., was born in Hampstead, and came with his parents to this township. He learned shoemaking and coopering, and worked at
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the latter trade in his early life. He is now a man of influence in this community, is actively interested in the welfare of the town where so much of his life has been spent, and at present represents Danville in the New Hampshire legislature. He married Miss Althea Collins, of Danville, and became the father of three children, as follows: Clar- ence M., Mahlon S., and Agnes H. Mahlon S. died at the age of eighteen years, while at- tending New Hampton Institution.
Clarence M. Collins was graduated from the Hampton Institution in the class of 1880, where he received a practical education. On leaving school, he started out for himself, becoming junior member of the firm of H. S. & C. M. Collins, who manufactured ladies' uppers and shoes. Disposing of his interest in that firm at the end of a year, Mr. Collins next became a partner of Edward Witherell, of South Danville, forming the firm of Witherell & Collins, who have been prosper- ously engaged in business since. Their con- nections extend over a large portion of the United States. The factory, which was estab- lished in 1888, is located in South Danville, and gives employment to large numbers of men. All kinds of slippers and shoes are manufact- ured there, mostly for the wholesale trade. Mr. Collins takes an active interest in poli- tics, supporting the Republican party ; and he has served in various minor official capacities, including that of Town Clerk. At present he is the Postmaster of Kingston. He is a mem- ber of Gideon Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., of Kingston, St. Alban's Chapter of Exeter, and the Haverhill Commandcry.
On December 27, 1883, Mr. Collins mar- ried a cousin, Miss Ada F. Collins, who was born in Danville township, May 29, 1859. She is a daughter of Alva B. and Mary A. (Allen) Collins, her father being well known in this locality as a prosperous farmer and Inmberman. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have had three children, namely: Irving M., born No- vember 30, 1884; Louise, born June 26, 1892, who died in infancy; and Mildred G., born March 16, 1895. Both parents are members of the Free Baptist church.
With this sketch of his career is presented a speaking portrait of Mr. Collins.
AMES M. PHILBRICK, a farmer and dairyman of Kingston, N. H., is a de- scendant of Thomas Philbrick1, who came from England in 1630. James2, son of Thomas1, settled in Hampton, was one of the number who ran the Exeter line in 1670. He was drowned in Hampton River, November 16, 1674. Thomas3, son of James2, born March 14, 1659, married Mehitable Ayres, settled in Hampton in 1694, and had ten children. He was a grantee of Kingston, where he died, January 1, 1712.
Jedediah+, son of the sccond Thomas, mar- ried Mary Taylor, of Kingston, and was the father of ten children. He was a prominent man, was surveyor of land, aided in running the lines of new townships, was Justice of the Peace, Captain of the town, Representative to legislature, Town Clerk, and Deacon of the church, and also a very worthy leader of so- ciety. He was born August 9, 1700, and died March 20, 1754. Samuel5, son of Jedediah, was born February II, 1739, married February 9, 1767, Sarah Sanborn, of Kingston, and died April 4, 1779, a pious and useful man in society. He had six children. In 1781 his wife and children moved to Springfield, exchanging their farm in Kingston for Esquire Abram Sanborn's. This was an even exchange between brother and sister. Abram6, son of Samuel, married Hitty, daughter of Eben Loverin, of Exeter. They had nine children. He was born May 16, 1771, married in 1797, died in Springfield, April 23, 1852.
Jeremiah7, son of Abram", born January 7, 1807, married first Lydia J. Sanborn, who died November 22, 1862, at the age of forty- two years. They had four children: James M., born December 30, 1841; Martha J., born April 10, 1842, married Charles V. Pills- bury, a farmer in Milford; Ellen A., born March 27, 1846, married Laroy Williams; Orra M., born July 30, 1850, married Anna Walker, of Lawrence, Mass. Jeremiah Phil- brick represented his town in the State legis- lature in 1864, and in the contest of that ses- sion over the proposition to make Manchester the State capital he took an active part against it. In 1866, April 4, he married, sec- ond, Mrs. Angie Williams, of Grafton. They had one daughter, Leona G., born August 23,
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1871, who married Frank Colby, of Spring- field, where she now lives on the Philbrick place, taking care of her mother. Jeremiah Philbrick died in 1887, aged eighty.
James M.", son of Jeremiah, and the subject of this sketch, married at Exeter, September 23, 1867, Mary Susan, daughter of Amos and Hannah P. Chase, of Kingston. Their eldest child, Ella J., born in Springfield, married May 23, 1887, George L. Swain, of Brent- wood, resided in Exeter, and died March IS, 1888, leaving an infant daughter, Stella, who lived with its grandparents in Kingston, and died March 30, 1895, of scarlet fever, aged seven years; their second child, Stella C., born March 19, 1872, died August 26, 1876, of diphtheria; the third was Hattie E., born April 27, 1874; fourth, Willie J., born Janu- ary 30, 1880; fifth, John Calef, born June 13, 1882. James M. Philbrick moved to King- ston in April, 1875, and bought the town farm, where he now lives. In 1890 he built a good substantial farm-house, and in 1893 he built a nice barn. He has about one hundred acres of land, which he is steadily improving. He keeps on an average ten cows, and raises yearly four hundred and fifty bushels of corn, besides a good crop of hay and potatoes.
HARLES H. RAITT, a manufacturer and bottler of small beers in Ports- mouth, was born in this city, Oc- tober 29, 1857, son of Daniel G. and Mary E. (Pettigrew) Raitt. His great- great-grandfather, Alexander Raitt, a native of Scotland, came to America in 1727, landing at New Castle, N. H., and settling at Kittery Point, Me. Alexander was a sea captain, and at one time commanded a privateer. Ile mar- ried a lady who was a sister of Sir William Pepperell, and the widow of Elliott Frost. Of this union was born John Raitt, the great- grandfather of Charles H. John, who was a native of Kittery Point, settled in Eliot, Me., and devoted his life to the pursuit of agricult- ure. He took part in the Revolutionary War on the side of the colonists, and was one of the glorious defenders of Bunker Hill. A large family of children grew up about him. James Raitt, the grandfather of Charles HI.,
was born in Eliot, and grew to maturity there. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and, mov- ing to Portsmouth in 1834, conducted a smithy there on Market Street for a number of years. He lost a leg through an accident, and was obliged to retire from active work in the latter part of his life. His death occurred in 1869, when he was seventy-one years of age. James Raitt married Betsey Tobey, a native of Wells, Me., and a member of one of the old families of that locality. She bore him six boys and three girls. Five of her sons are living.
Daniel G. Raitt, who was the eldest child of his parents, was born in Eliot, July 8, 1822. He learned the blacksmith trade with his father, and worked for him for a number of years. Subsequently he entered the em- ploy of the Boston & Maine and the Fitchburg Railroads, in whose shops he made a reputa- tion for punctuality and good work. He was quartermaster of the docks and shops of the navy yard at Kittery some six years, and was superintendent for a while. After laboring for fifty years in the vicinity of his native place, he went to work in the shops of the Boston & Maine Railroad at Salem, where he is now employed. Though seventy-four years of age, he is still an active and skilful workman. He was originally a member of the Whig party, and is now a Republican. In the legislature of 1865-66 he represented the district with distinction, aiding in passing the Senatorial bill, and serving on the Committee on Asy- lums. He is a member of Piscataqua Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M. ; of Washington Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch Masons; of De Witt Clinton Commandery ; and Davenport Council, Royal and Select Masters. He was a member of St. John Lodge of Masons, No. 1, and has been a Knight Tem- plar twenty-five years. His first wife, Mary E., daughter of William Pettigrew, of Ports- mouth, died in 1867. She was the mother of six children - Charles, William, Jeremiah, Nellie, Mary Elizabeth, and Charles H.
Charles II. Raitt, the only surviving child of his father's first marriage, was educated in the city of Portsmouth. Ile worked in a blacksmith shop for three years, but was not
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content to spend his life at that work. He next drove a hack for three years, after which he was employed by C. E. Boynton, with whom he remained eight years. In 1888 he started in the business of bottling beer. This turned out a profitable venture, and he has continued in it since. Hlis trade has in- creased to such an extent that he now employs twice as many men as he did at the start, and in summer he has two teams on the road. In 1878 Mr. Raitt married a daughter of J. M. Davis, of Portsmouth, and has now one daugh- ter, who is attending the Portsmouth High School. Like his father, he is a Republican in politics. He is a member of Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Portsmouth.
HOMAS R. WILSON, who is now living in Portsmouth retired from
active pursuits, has spent a large por- tion of his life in the United States naval ser- vice. Mr. Wilson was born in Malone, Franklin County, N. Y., December 25, 1834, and when a small lad was left fatherless.
At the age of twelve years he ran away from home, and, entering the merchant service, endeavored to make his way to the scene of the Mexican War, but was returned to his home before he had gone far. In 1847 he began his apprenticeship in the navy, being put on the brig "Porpoise, " and sent to the west coast of Africa, where he remained three years. He was then transferred to the "Yorktown," which was lost at sea; and he returned home on the sloop-of-war "John Adams." He sub- sequently volunteered to go on the United States steamer "Water Witch," which was disabled, the crew being placed on the "Vixen," and sent to Cuba to check the in- vasion under General Lopez in 1851. Mr. Wilson was next transferred to the "Deca- tur," on which he sailed until October, 1852, when he returned home, and, being sick with Chagres fever, was granted a leave of absence. The following December his term of appren- ticeship expired. He passed a successful ex- amination, receiving a warrant as gunner at the age of nineteen.
In his official capacity Mr. Wilson was or- dered to the sloop-of-war "Vandalia," which
took part in the Japan expedition under Com- modore Perry. He remained abroad three years, returning home in October, 1856, when he was ordered to the receiving-ship "North Carolina," in New York Harbor; and he was afterward stationed at the Brooklyn navy yard nine months. Being then appointed to the "Saranac," he was sent to the Pacific Station, where he was taken sick, and received an in- valid's leave of absence. After three months for recuperation, he was ordered to Ellis Island, to take charge of the United States magazine, remaining there until 1860. Mr. Wilson was subsequently ordered to the ship "Brooklyn," on which he sailed to South America, taking an exploring expedition, re- turning North on the outbreak of the late Civil War. He was first ordered to the relief of Fort Sumter, afterward returning to Norfolk, Va., where he took in two companies, and sailed to re-enforce Fort Pickens. He after- ward served on the blockade at New Orleans, being sent in pursuit of the " Sumter." Re- turning to the North, he received orders to go on board the "State of Georgia" with the north-west blockading squadron, and was with General Burnside at the bombardment of Fort Meakin. He was subsequently transferred to the "Vanderbilt," which pursued the "Ala- bama, " and seized the cargo of the prize of the "Alabama." He was then ordered to the United States ship "Niagara," which followed the "Alabama " and other of the enemy's vessels until the close of the war.
In November, 1865, Mr. Wilson was de- tached from the ship, and ordered to the Ports- mouth navy yard, where he served three years. Returning to sea service, he was on board the "Franklin" three years, being afterward in the navy yard two years. He then went, in 1874, on the "Franklin" to Cuba, where trouble was anticipated, and was on coast duty there a few months, being thence transferred to the "Colorado," and on his return once more stationed at the navy yard in Portsmouth. He stayed here the succeeding three years, with the exception of a three months' furlough. In November, 1877, on the sloop-of-war "Hartford" he sailed to Brazil; and two years later he returned to the Boston navy yard, whence he was ordered to report at Ports-
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mouth navy yard, where he remained seven years. In February, 1886, Mr. Wilson was sent to the Newport torpedo station, where he remained six months. In June, 1886, he was placed on the sick list, but reported for duty the first of October, and was sent to the receiving-ship "Wabash," and a year later returned to the Portsmouth navy yard. Here he served until July, 1889, when, in placing the battery on board a ship, he was so injured as to unfit him for further duty. He was de- tached from the "Portsmouth," and placed on the retired list July 13, 1889, since which time he has resided in this city.
In politics Mr. Wilson has always been a stanch Republican. Hle cast his first Presi- dential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. He has served as Alderman in the city council, but has declined further office. He belongs to Riverside Lodge, No. 72, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a charter mem- ber, and has held all the chairs; is a member of Dirigo Encampment, in which he has held the important offices ; also of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M. ; of the Royal Arcanum, Alpha Council, of which he has been Regent ; of the Knights of Honor, an organization in which he has held various offices, and is now, as he has been for the past three terms, Dic- tator. He is likewise a member of the United Order of the Golden Cross; of the Grand Army of the Republic, Storer Post, No. I, of which he has been Commander and Quar- termaster; of the Kearsarge Naval Veterans, of which he was at one time Commander; and of the Provident Relief Association. Relig- iously, he is an active member of the Metho- dist church, in which he has been Class Leader and Trustee, and is now a Steward and super- intendent of the Sunday-school.
Mr. Wilson was married February 12, 1857, to Henrietta M., daughter of Captain John West, of New York. Captain West was en- gaged in the Cuban trade for many years; and during the war he was in the blockade service, being commander of the barque "J. L. Davis" for a while, but was afterward on the "Princeton" at Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have four children, two sons and two daughters. Thomas R., Jr., the eldest son, is First Lieutenant of a militia company. The
other son, Brandt W., is at school. The daugh- ters are : Charlotte, the wife of Elroy F. Cottle, living in Kittery, Me. ; and Thresa R., wife of S. W. Hollis, a resident of Medfield, Mass.
LBERT LITTLE, one of Atkinson's well-to-do residents, and an ex-mem- ber of the New Hampshire legisla- ture, was born upon the farm he now owns and cultivates, February 13, 1835, son of Jesse and Lovisa (Read) Little. Mr. Little's great-grandfather, Thomas Little, first, was one of the early settlers of Atkin- son, and the original owner of the family
homestead here. Thomas, Mr. second, Little's grandfather, was born at the home- stead; and, succeeding to its possession, he cultivated it during the active period of his life. He married Abigail Kent, a native of Newbury, Mass., and had a family of thirteen children, all of whom have passed away.
Jesse Little, the youngest of his parents' children, was born at the homestead in 1791. He was a capable and very energetic farmer, and a lifelong resident of this town. His natural ability brought him into prominence in public affairs, and he served as a Select- man for eight or ten years. In politics he was a Republican. In his religious belief he was a Congregationalist, having been a mem- ber of that church for about forty years: and he was one of the most highly esteemed citi- zens of his day. He died in 1871. His wife, who was before marriage Lovisa Read, daugh- ter of William Read, of Litchfield, N. H., be- came the mother of three children - Lydia, William R., and Albert. Lydia is the widow of Thomas L. Page, and has two children : William W., who is now residing at the old homestead ; and George A., who married Nellie J. Morse, of Derry, N. II., and has one daughter, Mary Alice. William R., now de- ceased, married for his first wife Albina Little, of Hampstead. He was a very promi- nent man in this town, and for two years ably represented his district in the legislature. His only daughter, Albina, who became the wife of John H. Smith, of Haverhill, Mass., died, leaving one child, Verta A. Mrs. Jesse Little died in 1871.
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Albert Little passed his boyhood in attend- ing the district school. His school-days ended, employment was found for him upon the home farm, which has always been his home, and which he eventually inherited. The estate is one of the best pieces of prop- erty in Atkinson. On it Mr. Little makes general farming a pronounced success. In politics he is a Republican. He has been ac- tive in public affairs, and represented his dis- trict in the legislature of 1875-76, where his ability was displayed to good advantage and for the best interests of the community.
ON. CHARLES H. SHERMAN, Jr., a prosperous merchant of North- wood Narrows, N. H., was born in Bath, Me., August 16, 1849, son of Charles H. and Abbie (Reynolds) Sherman. Charles H. Sherman worked as a clerk in a paint and oil store up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was forty years of age. His wife, who is a daughter of Daniel Reynolds, of Bath, subsequently married James C. Watson, of Northwood, and is now living in this town with her husband. She is the mother of three children - one, Charles H. Sherman, Jr., by her first husband, and two, Grace M. and Herbert G. Watson, by her sec- ond. Grace M. is the wife of Horace K. Emery.
Charles H. Sherman received his education in the Northwood public schools. He learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman until 1870, when he turned his attention to mercantile business at the Nar- rows, and has since been thus occupied. As a merchant, he has been very successful, and his well-stocked store is largely patronized. He also attends to the distribution of the mail, the post-office having been established in his store thirty-five years ago.
Mr. Sherman was married in 1872 to Alice G., daughter of Josiah P. Lancaster, of North- wood; and one child has blessed their union, Allison L. A loyal Republican, Mr. Sher- man has held the various town offices; and he had a seat in the State legislature in 1894 and 1895. He is Noble Grand of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 83, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and is a member of Northwood Grange, No. 209. Though not an office- seeker, he efficiently performs public duties when called upon; and his conduct in all the relations of life has been such as to win the esteem of those who know him.
RANK B. PERKINS, M. D., a success- ful physician of Derry Depot, was born in Grafton, this State, April 25, 1856. He is a son of Orrin and Hannah J. (Currier) Perkins, both natives of Merrimack County. Orrin Perkins, who is a farmer, is now living in Derry. Ilis wife died some time since. Frank B. Perkins, M. D., was reared on a farm, receiving his early education in the schools of his native county. Resolving to enter the medical profession, though short of the requi- site funds, he obtained the deficiency by teaching school at intervals. After attending for a while Colby Academy, New London, N. H., he began the study of medicine in 1874 with Dr. J. P. Elkins, of Wilmot, N. H. In 1875 he attended a course of lectures at Dart- mouth Medical College, and a second course at the same institution in 1876, being graduated at the June examination in 1877. In the fol- lowing year he began to practise at Grantham, Sullivan County. At the end of the four years he passed in Grantham he took advan- tage of an opening in Londonderry, and moved to that town. In 1894 he came to Derry Depot, where he has remained since. He has a large and lucrative practice, the reward of his acknowledged skill and conscientions treatment. Dr. Perkins is a member of the New Hampshire State Medical Society, and has served as a member of the council of that body. His marriage with Emma J. Flanders, of Danbury, N. HI., has been blessed by one child, a promising boy named Harry M. Dr. Perkins is a member of King Solomon's Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of New Lon- don; of Rockingham Lodge, No. 27, Knights of l'ythias, of Derry Depot; of Passaconaway Tribe, No. 5, of the Improved Order of Red Men, of Manchester, N. H. He is assistant surgeon in the Uniform Rank, First Regi- ment, New Hampshire Knights of Pythias; medical examiner of Derryfield Lodge, - No.
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